Summer Skiing on the
Glaciers
Blessed with mountains of such
altitude, Zermatt has the largest and highest summer skiing area in
Europe. Twenty-five kilometres of pistes and eight ski lifts remain open all
summer. The pride of Zermatt's summer snow area is the superbly engineered
Klein Matterhorn cable car - soaring up a shear mountain face to a lung
bursting 3820m (12,530ft).
Summer skiing in Zermatt is quite
different to the winter. Although on paper the summer ski area amounts to
only 10% of the total winter area, summer skiing does indeed provide its
own unique charm and it's great fun - as these photos can attest.
Glacier skiing is about very broad
motorways of well groomed, obstacle free snow and the majority of this
summer area is quite suitable for beginners and intermediates. But
Zermatt's summer snow area is sufficiently large to offer something for
everyone. Good skiers can test themselves skiing a few uninterrupted
kilometres at racing speeds. In one or two steeper places there
also exist a line of (black & difficult) moguls. Even more, there is
also great fun to be had at the two half pipes and summer snowboard park.
Klein Matterhorn 360° panorama.
Available in Half size -238kb or Full
size - 555kb
Lifts from the village start as early as
7am. The 2200m/7200ft vertical ascent is spectacular and even with the
high speed lifts requires 45 minutes. Midsummer snow
conditions are typically icy first thing in the morning. But by
mid-morning conditions are wonderful with two hours of perfect 'spring'
snow as the surface softens. By lunchtime in July and August, the snow can become very
wet and heavy. Because of this the ski lifts close before 2pm in
midsummer.
Powder snow in summer? After any
overnight rain in Zermatt, expect to find fresh powder snow on the
glaciers -
even in midsummer - thanks to the extreme altitudes. Just be up there
early!
Views are incredible over
much of Switzerland and Northern Italy - even to the distant Mt.Blanc and
France. Take the little "Gipfel lift" to the very summit of the
Klein Matterhorn for one
of the finest panoramas in the world. On a clear day it is possible to
see forty peaks over 4000 metres (13,000ft) elevation and 200km (130
miles) distance to the Maritime Alps close to the Mediterranean sea.
But be prepared for the strength
of the sun - at altitudes close to 4000m - on snow, in summer, it is
fierce indeed! Skiing without sunglasses will lead to temporary snow
blindness - guaranteed. Constant reapplication of a strong sunscreen is
also essential for those with fair skin.
Mid-summer panorama:
half
size or full
size photo
Due to its extreme altitude and huge summer
snow area, Zermatt very often hosts international ski (and
snowboard) teams
busy refining their technique. Swiss, Italian, Austrian, Scandinavian,
Russian and even some North American teams are attracted to this area
because it is one of the best summer skiing areas in the northern
hemisphere. It is a great thrill to ski alongside the world's best skiers, and
perhaps share a conversation with one on the T-bar ride back to the top.
Apart from the International team skiers, this area also attracts top
level club skiers from throughout Europe. Consequently the standard of
skiing you will see in summer is extremely high - much higher than in
winter. It's inspiring to be a recreational skier amongst such talent.
Overall : Enthusiastic skiers and
boarders wanting to stretch
their legs, perfect their technique, race alongside world class skiers,
enjoy the sunshine and incredible scenery, and are unconcerned by the lack
of variety - will greatly enjoy the summer skiing.
Prices
for summer lift passes are
(almost) the same as winter ski passes.
In September and October snowfalls become
thicker and more frequent. As cooler winter conditions approach, the snow
that falls often remains in excellent powdery condition, and pistes
open progressively further down the mountains. The winter
season proper begins with the first big snowfalls - generally towards the
end of November - when all three skiing areas open and glorious long runs
into the village become possible once again.
The Summer Ski Area of
Zermatt 
Top
Elevation: 3899m / 12,850 ft
Base Elevation: 2939m / 9,650 ft *
Vertical drop: 960m / 3,200ft *
Marked Pistes: 20 km / 13 ml
Ski Lifts Operating: 7
Longest Piste: 7 km / 4 ml
Summer Ski School
The Gravity Snowboard Park - the best freestyle park in Europe with
a Superpipe, kicker park, rail park, and snowskate park.
Open every day from May to November.
* The lower glacier lift from Trockener
Steg to Furgsattel closes from June 25th to October 9th due to lack
of good snow. But sometimes in May & November runs can be open to Furgg at 2432m for
a vertical drop of 1400m and a 9 km long run! |
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For any further information please
contact us !
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